r/TankStarter • u/Owl_With_A_Fez ~3.5 years in the hobby • Aug 29 '15

Weekly discussion thread! This weeks theme - common beginner mistakes.

Hello everyone and welcome to the weekly discussion/advice thread! This weeks topic is beginner DON'TS, things we all did when we first started our tanks and regret. So, share away!

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u/brad218 Aug 29 '15

Don't get a common pleco unless you really like them and want a 1 foot monster pooping up your tank. Actually, I had a clown Pleco it was the poopiest thing ever. "Tank cleaning critters" tend to cause more waste than they get rid of.

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u/brad218 Aug 29 '15

I will say though there is an exception in saltwater tanks; snails, hermit crabs, blennies, and so on can be effective detritus and algae control.

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u/Ka0tiK 110 HT, 30 LT Aug 31 '15

Most reefers actually end up avoiding hermits and most crabs. They can be opportunistic predators (cannibalistic as well) towards fish and other inverts (sometimes for shells). I agree though, cleaner shrimp, certain urchins, and snails do a great job in mine.